Related Experiment Videos
Brain abscess caused by Lactococcus lactis cremoris in a child.
Yasemin Topçu1, Gülçin Akıncı, Erhan Bayram
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, İzmir, Turkey. drytopcu@yahoo.co.uk
European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 29, 2011
Summary
Lactococcus lactis cremoris, a rare cause of human infection, led to a brain abscess in an immunocompetent child. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens in pediatric infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Lactococcus lactis cremoris is typically a commensal organism found on mucocutaneous surfaces, particularly in cattle.
- Human infections with L. lactis cremoris are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 19-month-old immunocompetent female child presented with fever and vomiting.
- Brain computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of a brain abscess.
Findings:
- Lactococcus lactis cremoris was successfully isolated from the cultured abscess material.
- The child received treatment involving surgical pus drainage and antibiotics (vancomycin, meropenem).
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of a Lactococcus lactis cremoris brain abscess in a pediatric patient.
- The findings underscore the need to consider rare bacterial pathogens in the differential diagnosis of pediatric brain abscesses.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...